There are a number of ways to use essential oils to aid in the grief journey. In addition, any number of blends can be made with the above oils—above all, let your nose and your heart be your guides.

Inhaling essential oils is convenient and effective. The simplest way to do this is to place a few drops on a handkerchief, cotton ball, or tissue and carry it with you. Some products are made that are specially designed for this purpose.

Anointing an item is another option. This method requires just a drop of your chosen essential oil or blend to impart the qualities of the oil to the object. For example, you may wish to anoint the urn holding a loved one’s ashes, or a picture frame containing a photo, or even a piece of jewelry. Be aware that some surfaces can be damaged by essential oils and even diluted blends, so if you are anointing a fragile object, do so in a discreet spot (for example, the backing of a picture frame). Anointing offers an opportunity to say a prayer or mantra or recall a memory that eases your grief.

Diffusers fill a space with a gentle fragrance and have the advantage of surrounding you and others with essential oils’ beneficial effects. Follow the instructions on your diffuser for best results.

Incense is another choice. You can make your own with blank charcoal sticks (available on the Internet), or purchase the fragrance blend of your choice. Be careful—some find incense off-putting, “woo-woo,” or simply overpowering. Incense is best used when you “own” a space.

Room or body sprays allow you to imbue either an entire space or just yourself with the comforting fragrance of your chosen essential oil. Room sprays are less obvious than incense and last less long, but they are easier to control when it comes to intensity. Simply use distilled water as a carrier, add a few drops of your chosen oil or blend to the intensity you prefer, and place it in an appropriate mister. Purse- and pocket-size misters are available, along with brass plant misters and all sorts of other styles Remember: oil and water don’t mix, so always vigorously shake your mister before spraying.

Bath Oils and Bath Salts are another option. To create a bath oil, simply add 20 or so drops of your chosen essential oil or blend to Epsom salts or two ounces of a carrier oil such as jojoba oil. A solubilizer such as Polysorbate 20 or Solubol will help the oil stay evenly distributed. Don’t overdo it—just a quarter ounce or so of bath oil will be plenty. To create a bath salt mixture, combine three cups of sea salt, Dead Sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, Epsom salt, or a combination thereof with 15 to 24 drops of your chosen aromatherapy blend. You can also add a tablespoon of jojoba, fractionated coconut, or other carrier oil to impart moisturizing properties to the bath salts. Mix well and keep in an airtight container. **Remember: follow the appropriate safety instructions regarding the particular essential oils you choose. Some are phototoxic or irritating to the skin and may not be suitable for bath use.**

The following blends may help you or a loved one during grief. Many, many combinations are possible—these blends are just the beginning. Again, feel free to experiment (within the confines of safety), remembering that a blend should be appealing to you. If you don’t like a particular scent or it imparts negative feelings, don’t use it—try something else! The blends below are proportional—you can multiply the ingredients to get the quantity you need for an application.

Comfort and Peace Blend

• 2 drops Rose
• 3 drops Sandalwood

Uplift Blend

• 3 drops Lemon or Grapefruit
• 2 drops Bergamot
• 2 drops Rosemary
• 1 drop Ginger

Resilience Blend

• 2 drops Rose
• 3 drops Cypress
• 2 drops Sweet Marjoram

Stillness Blend

• 1 drop Neroli
• 1 drop Rose
• 3 drops Sandalwood

Rootedness Blend

• 3 drops Sandalwood
• 2 drops Vetiver
• 2 drops Cedarwood

Energy Blend

• 3 drops Grapefruit
• 3 drops Rosemary
• 2 drops Ginger